"Electric Dreams: A Century of Power" - Loveland's Pioneering Journey at the Museum

The atmosphere at the Loveland Museum buzzes with energy—quite literally. This noise represents both historical and contemporary power, vividly showcased through a multimedia exhibition celebrating a significant landmark for Loveland’s public power service.

Starting this Friday at the Dunning Gallery, “100 Years of Power” charts the city’s evolution from its origins with water-driven power to a future defined by solar energy facilities and advanced technologies.

Jennifer Cousino, the curator of history at the Loveland Museum, discusses an exhibition highlighting the city’s water and power history on Wednesday. (Jenny Sparks/Loveland Reporter-Herald)

I found it incredibly intriguing to discover all the technological advancements implemented over time,” stated Julie West, who serves as the senior marketing coordinator for Loveland Water and Power and is also one of the exhibit’s developers. “What stood out to me was how adaptable the service provider has been in making these modifications.

In February 1925, Loveland started receiving 22,000 volts of electricity from the newly built Idylwilde hydroelectric plant located in the Big Thompson Canyon. This event signaled the inception of Loveland’s municipal electric utility.

A hundred years later, the old wooden water pipelines and canyon windmills have been replaced by solar panels on the prairies and sophisticated metering systems allowing consumers to monitor their energy consumption instantly.

The latest exhibition vividly captures those years of advancement with a blend of interactive exhibits, narrative storytelling, and engaging sensory components.

The humming sound originates from a sped-up footage of a city transformer, designed to envelop the audience in the sensation of standing near powerful electrical devices. This continuous low drone resonates through the exhibition space, enhancing the ambiance alongside presentations featuring power poles, subterranean wires, and antique ceramic transformers.

“We genuinely desired for you to enter and experience the essence of that power,” stated Jennifer Cousino, the curator at the Loveland Museum.

Surrounding the exhibition are two utility poles placed by linemen from LWP. The initial one symbolizes the earlier period of the utility, featuring vintage ceramic transformers dating back to the 1920s. In contrast, the second pole showcases contemporary versions that blend into our everyday scenery yet often go unnoticed.

The linemen were incredibly proud of building this in a new setting,” Cousino stated. “They located an old transformer and discovered these stunning ceramic pieces, which are truly magnificent. They’re like artworks.

Surrounded by the poles, you’ll find historical images capturing scenes from the city’s hydroelectric facility located within Big Thompson Canyon. This site was retired following several instances of flooding. Additionally, there is a video content that delves into how the widespread damage caused by the 2013 flood led to increased investments in solar power systems.

Additionally present are antique electric meters, retro light bulbs, and even a piece of coal, alongside a modern solar panel that seems more like an artistic wall decoration than a means of generating electricity.

It’s an incredibly thrilling period,” stated Tracey Hewson, the Public Information Officer for LWP. “I believe individuals will gain significant insights into public power and feel privileged witnessing such extensive technological advancements.

The launch party for “100 Years of Power” takes place between 6 and 8 p.m. this Friday, offering complimentary entry. Further dates with no cost of admission include July 23, August 21, and September 17. The exhibition will stay open until October 18.

To keep the festivities going, LWP has planned a family-oriented ” Passport to Power” event on July 25 at the parking lot adjacent to the museum. Attendees of all ages can explore informative stations, earn passport stickers, and enjoy complimentary access to the exhibition space. Additionally, later in the month, Verboten Brewing will introduce their special release called ” Electric Avenue,” a new beer celebrating the occasion.

For more information, visit
thelovelandmuseum.org/100-years-of-power
.